Device and method for repairing pipe

ABSTRACT

The invention relates towards a bladder tube having an open and a closed end. The closed end of the bladder tube is formed by folding a surplus portion of the bladder tube, inserting a grommet through the folded portion of the bladder tube, banding at least a portion of the surplus portion of the bladder tube, and passing at least a portion of the banding through the grommet. The banding may comprise a rope or other material that can be tied. An exhaust port may also be punched through the layers of the folded portion of the bladder tube to exhaust steam or other fluids.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Ser. No.13/624,527, filed Sep. 21, 2012 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,739,809, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/251,505, filed Oct. 15,2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,972 issued Feb. 19, 2013, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of a provisional application Ser. No.60/999,034 filed Oct. 15, 2007, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and a method for repairingpipe, such as underground sewer pipe and the like.

Prior methods for repairing damage to pipelines include moving a linertube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardeningto a position within the pipe where the damaged portion is located. Aninflation bladder is often used to urge the liner tube in an outwardradial direction into contact with the pipe being repaired and a liquidmaterial impregnating the liner tube is permitted to cure and harden.The liner tube is installed by pulling, pushing or everting the linerinto the host pipe. Once the liner is positioned within the host pipe,it is pressurized, usually by an inflation bladder, causing the liner topress against the interior wall of the host pipe, and the liner is curedby applying heat, such as steam or hot water. These liners can also becured at ambient temperatures by a chemical mixture which generates anexothermic reaction. The liner tube forms an interior liner in the pipefor the pipeline being repaired. Such a process is known ascured-in-place pipelining.

On some occasions lateral pipes are connected to main pipes. Oftendamage occurs at the junction between the lateral pipe and the mainpipe, which is regarded as one of the weakest points in a sewer system.T-shaped or Y-shaped liner tubes have been utilized to fit within thejunction between the lateral and main pipes. Liner tubes form a T-shapedor Y-shaped liner after hardening to the interior of the junctionbetween the pipes. Again, inflation bladders are typically used topressurize the liners against the interior walls of the host pipes.

To ensure that the liner is open ended, the inflation bladder normallyextends some distance beyond the liner tube. For example, the bladdertube may extend a foot beyond the liner tube. Pressures may rangebetween approximately 5 and 30 PSI within the inflation bladder duringan evertion process where the liner transitions from inside the bladderto outside the bladder.

The portion of the inflation bladder that is not contained by the lineror host pipe creates a weak point in the system. Where the bladder iscontained by the liner or host pipe, it can withstand more pressurebefore bursting or failing. The weak points in the system where thebladder is not contained by the liner effectively limit how muchpressure you can put in the inflation bladder before the bladder willburst, which is known as the burst pressure or failure point. Also, theclosed end of the bladder and points where the bladder is connected to alaunching device are weak points where the bladder is prone to burst.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art device and method of lining thejunction between a main pipe 10 and a lateral pipe 12. The liner/bladderassembly shown includes a lateral liner tube 14, a main liner tube 16, alateral bladder tube 18, and a main bladder tube 20. The liner/bladderassembly is positioned about a launching device 22. Once the launchingdevice 22 is in an operable position in the main pipe 10 adjacent theopening to the lateral pipe 12, the lateral bladder tube 18 and lateralliner tube 14 are everted into the lateral pipe 12 and the main bladdertube 20 is inflated to press the main liner tube 16 against the mainpipe 10. The main and lateral bladder tubes 20, 18 are pressurized usinga fluid, such as air, steam or hot water.

As shown in FIG. 2, portions A of the lateral bladder tube 18 andportions B of the main bladder tube 20 refer to weak points in thesystem where the bladder tubes are not contained by the main and lateralliner tubes 16, 14. These unrestrained locations of the bladder tubeslimit how much pressure can be applied within the bladder tubes.

There is therefore a need in the art for a device and method of renewinga pipeline that eliminates or reduces the number of weak points in thesystem when the inflation bladders are pressurized. There is also a needin the art for a device and method that allows greater pressure to beapplied within the inflation bladder without bursting the bladder.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principal object, aspect, feature or advantage of thepresent invention to provide an apparatus and method for repairing apipeline which improves over or solves the problems and deficiencies inthe art.

Further objects, features, aspects and/or advantages of the inventionrelate to an apparatus and method which eliminates or reduces the numberof weak points in inflation bladders used in pipe renewal.

Another object, feature, aspect and/or advantage of the presentinvention includes a device and method for repairing a pipeline thatallows greater pressures to be applied within the inflation bladderwithout bursting the bladder.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanyingspecification and claims.

The present invention may be used in all types of pipelining, such aslining an entire main sewer pipe from manhole to manhole, lining asection of sewer pipe, lining the entire length of a lateral pipe,lining a potable water main, lining a gas pipeline, lining a lateralpipe and the connection to a main pipe, and similar structures.

One aspect of the invention includes a liner/bladder assembly having anelongated tubular inflation bladder with a peripheral wall of differentthicknesses. A first longitudinal portion of the wall has a first wallthickness and a second longitudinal portion has a second wall thicknessgreater than the first wall thickness. An elongated tubular liner isjournaled within the inflation bladder so that the portion of theinflation bladder having a greater wall thickness extends beyond the endof the liner.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of forming aliner/bladder assembly for repairing the interior wall of a pipe. Themethod includes taking an elongated tubular liner and an elongatedtubular inflation bladder and inserting the liner into the bladder. Thewall of the bladder is folded onto itself to form a longitudinal portionhaving a greater wall thickness. The liner is positioned within thebladder so that the longitudinal portion of a liner having a greaterwall thickness extends beyond the end of the liner. The liner/bladderassembly can then be everted so that the liner is on the outside of thebladder and pressed against an internal wall of the pipe. Reinforcedareas of the bladder that are not contained by the liner allow greaterpressure to be applied within the bladder without bursting the bladder.

Another aspect of the invention includes an apparatus for repairing thejunction of a main pipe and a lateral pipe. The apparatus generallycomprises a main bladder tube, a containment tube surrounding the mainbladder tube, a lateral bladder tube, a main liner member, a lateralliner tube, and a launcher device. The main bladder tube and thecontainment tube are outside of and surrounding the launcher device andthe main liner member is outside of at least partially surrounding thecontainment tube, the main bladder tube, and the launcher device. Boththe main bladder tube and the containment tube extend beyond the ends ofthe main liner member and are connected to the launching device. Thecontainment tube functions to reinforce the portions of the main bladdertube that extend beyond the main liner member. In a preferred form, theportion of the lateral liner tube extending beyond the lateral liner isalso reinforced.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a liner/bladderassembly as described above for lining a lateral pipe and the junctionbetween a main pipe and the lateral pipe.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for repairinga damaged pipe junction using the liner/bladder assembly wherein theassembly is moved through the main pipe to an operative position withthe main liner member adjacent the pipe junction. The lateral liningtube is inserted into the lateral pipe. The lateral lining tube ispressed against an interior wall of the lateral pipe and the lateralliner member is pressed against the interior wall of the main pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main pipe and a lateral pipe, showing aprior art lining apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, showing a lateral linereverted into the lateral pipe.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a liner/bladder assembly of thepresent invention with the liner in an inverted position prior toclosing the end of the bladder.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing one end of thebladder folded to create a greater wall thickness near the end of theliner tube.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing the bladder withthe reinforced wall portion in a lay flat position.

FIGS. 6A-E illustrate an exemplary method of preparing an end portion ofthe liner/bladder assembly.

FIGS. 7A-F illustrate an exemplary method of how the bladder tube in theliner/bladder assembly is closed.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the liner/bladder assembly of FIGS. 3-5mounted to a launcher device with the liner/bladder assembly in aninverted position within the launcher device.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, showing the liner/bladderassembly in an everted position to line the interior wall of a hostpipe.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention for use in lining the junction between a lateral pipe and amain pipe.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 10and 11 near the junction between a main pipe and a lateral pipe.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 12, showing the laterallining tube and lateral bladder tube in an everted position within thelateral pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

For a better understanding of the invention, several examples of formsof the invention will now be described in detail. Frequent referencewill be made to the accompanying figures. Reference numerals will beused to indicate certain parts or locations in the figures. The samereference numerals will be used to indicate the same or similar parts orlocations throughout the figures unless otherwise indicated.

In cured-in-place lining applications, it is common to use aliner/bladder assembly wherein the liner is initially journaled withinthe bladder in an inverted position. When the bladder is pressurized,the liner and bladder are everted with the liner tube pressed againstthe interior of the host pipe and the bladder tube on the inside of theliner tube. One end of the bladder tube is cinched or closed. Typically,a rope is attached to the closed end which can be used to retract thebladder from the pipe once the liner has cured and hardened to theinterior wall of the host pipe.

FIG. 3 shows a liner/bladder assembly 24 with a bladder tube 26 and aliner tube 28 prior to closing one end 30 of the bladder tube 26. Thebladder tube 26 is of sufficient length to extend beyond the end of theliner tube 32 when fully everted into the host pipe. In sewer pipeapplications, approximately one foot of additional bladder tube 26extending past the liner tube 32 has been found acceptable in mostapplications. This allows sufficient bladder material to extend beyondthe end of the liner tube 28 when the liner tube 28 and bladder tube 26are everted into the host pipe. It also provides sufficient bladdermaterial to cinch or close the end of the bladder tube 26.

One embodiment of the present invention increases the length of thebladder tube extending beyond the end of the liner tube 28. Theadditional length of bladder tube 26 is used to create a reinforcedportion of the bladder tube 26 not contained or restrained by the linertube 28. For lateral sewer pipe rehabilitation, approximately three footof bladder tube 26 extending beyond the liner tube 28 has been foundacceptable. As shown in FIG. 4, the end 30 of the bladder tube 26extending beyond the end 32 of the liner tube 28 is folded back ontoitself. The bladder tube 26 is folded back on itself in a “Z” or “S”shape and an adhesive or other connecting means connects the end 30 ofthe bladder tube 26 to a point on the bladder tube 26 even with orbackwards from the end 32 of the liner tube 28. In an application wherethree feet of bladder tube 26 extends beyond the end 32 of the linertube 28, the end 30 of the bladder tube 26 is adhered to an interiorwall portion approximately 48 inches backwards from the end 32 of theliner tube 28. Thus, when the bladder tube 26 is unfolded and laid flat(see FIG. 5), there is approximately one foot of reinforced bladderpreceding the end 32 of the liner tube 28 and one foot of reinforcedbladder extending beyond the end 32 of the liner tube 28. The reinforcedbladder is formed from doubling the wall thickness of the bladder tube26.

The end of the bladder tube 26 can be adhered to an interior wallportion using a variety of adhesives or connecting means. The solventtetrahydrofuran (THF) has been found suitable for use with the presentinvention. Applying a small amount of the solvent dissolves a portion ofthe plastic and effectively bonds the two surfaces together around theentire periphery of the wall of the bladder. Such a solvent can also beapplied easily in the field.

FIG. 5 shows the liner/bladder assembly with the reinforced end of thebladder tube 26 unfolded in a lay flat position. When the bladder tube26 is unfolded and laid flat, there is approximately one foot ofreinforced bladder backwards of the liner tube 28 and one foot ofreinforced bladder extending beyond the liner tube 28. It is preferredthat when the end 30 of the bladder tube 26 is folded back on itself,the overlapping portion of the bladder tube 26 will be in contact withthe liner tube 28.

FIGS. 6A-E illustrate the process of preparing the end of theliner/bladder assembly 24, including the steps of folding the bladdertube 26 back on to itself and adhering the end 30 of the bladder tube 26to an interior wall portion of the bladder tube 26. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that the dimensions provided are specific to anapplication for lining four and six-inch diameter lateral sewer pipe.The drawings and descriptions contained therein are exemplary only.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the liner tube 28 should preferably be positionedwithin the bladder tube 26 approximately three-feet from the end of thebladder tube 26. As shown in FIG. 6B, two marks are made on the bladdertube 26, preferably at 48 and 49 inches from the end of the bladder tube26. The end of the bladder tube 26 is then folded back over itself untilboth the 48 inch and 49 inch marks are visible with the fold occurringat the 48 inch mark, which is now 12 inches from the end of the linertube 28. This is illustrated in FIG. 6C.

Next, the bladder tube 26 is folded back over itself again, as shown inFIG. 6D, creating a three-layer “Z” bladder configuration. The end ofthe bladder tube 26 is aligned with the 48 inch mark. An adhesive orother connecting means (preferably THF) is applied in a oneinch-two-inch-wide single pass to the end of the bladder tube 26 whenaligned at the 48 inch mark, as shown in FIG. 6E.

Once the reinforced longitudinal portion of the bladder tube 26 has beenformed, then the end of the bladder tube 26 can be closed. This isillustrated in the drawings contained in FIGS. 7A-F. The surplus ofbladder tube 26 extending beyond the liner tube 28 is fan-folded. Agrommet 80 is put into the end of the bladder tube 26. Next, a rope 82is used to make approximately one double hitch and three or four halfhitch knots around the fan-folded portion of the bladder tube 26. Theleading end of the rope 82 is then put through the grommet 80. Finally,the end of the bladder is taped, using black electrical tape or ducttape.

The specific steps described above are illustrated in FIGS. 7A-F. Again,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the dimensions providedare specific to an application for aligning four and six-inch diameterlateral sewer pipe. The drawings and descriptions contained areexemplary only. As shown in FIG. 7A, a one-inch mark is made at the endof the double-layered end of the bladder tube 26. The end of the bladdertube 26 is fan folded with the layers measuring approximately two-incheswide. A three-inch grommet 80 is inserted through all layers at theone-inch mark, as illustrated in FIG. 7D. A one-inch flat rope 82 isprepared to be placed around the bladder. The bladder is tied by onedouble hitch and three-four half hitch knots, and the rope 82 is fedthrough the grommet 80 with tape applied, as illustrated in FIG. 7F.

Note that an exhaust port may be necessary if steam is used to cure theresin impregnated liners. The exhaust port should be made prior tofan-folding the end 30 of the bladder tube 26. As shown in FIG. 7B, thisis done by putting a board underneath one of the double layers ofbladder tube 26 and punching a hole through the one doubled layer. It isimportant that the holes stay aligned with each other to prevent onelayer of the reinforced bladder portion from blocking the other layer.This can be done by applying an adhesive, such as the solvent previouslydisclosed, around the inside of the holes (see FIG. 7C), or punchinganother grommet 80 in the bladder tube 26.

FIG. 8 shows the liner/bladder assembly 24 in a launching device 34prior to everting the assembly into the host pipe 36. Air pressure isintroduced into the cavity 38 of the launcher device 34 through an airhose 40, urging the liner bladder assembly 24 to evert out of thelaunching device 34. Although air is the preferred pressurized material,other gases or fluids may be used.

FIG. 9 illustrates the liner/bladder assembly 24 in the evertedposition. This evertion process causes the lateral liner tube 28 to bepositioned on the outside of the bladder tube 26 and against theinterior wall of the host pipe 36. Note that the portions of the bladdertube 26 on either side of the end of the liner tube 28 have a doublelayer of thickness. It is most important that the portion of bladdertube 26 extending beyond the liner tube 28 be reinforced. However, ithas been found useful to also reinforce the area of the bladder tube 26approximately one foot preceding the end 32 of the liner tube 28 in casethe bladder tube 26 stretches lengthwise.

Pressure with the cavity 38 is maintained, and the lateral liner tube 28impregnated with a resinous material cures and hardens, forming a liningto the host pipe 36. The bladder tube 26 is then depressurized andremoved using rope 42. The bladder tube 26 is preferably made from atranslucent polyurethane material with a reinforced scrim. Such abladder tube having a thickness of approximately 20 mils has been foundsuitable for use with the present invention.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a new device and method forrepairing the junction between a main pipe and a lateral pipe. Asdiscussed in the Background of the Invention with reference to the priorart FIGS. 1 and 2, the unconstrained portions of a main bladder tube andlateral bladder tube are problematic. This aspect of the inventionprovides a way to contain the areas of the bladders that extend beyondthe liners to prevent the bladders from bursting when pressurized.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a liner/bladder assembly 44 on alaunching device 46. The liner/bladder assembly 44 includes a mainbladder tube 48, a lateral bladder tube 50, a main liner tube 52, and alateral liner tube 54. The main liner tube 52 is preferably formed froma flat sheet of liner material and is wrapped to form a tube. However, amain liner member that forms less than a full circle, which is used inso-called “top-hat” applications, can also be used with the presentinvention.

The lateral liner tube 54 and lateral bladder tube 50 shown in FIG. 10are short enough in length such that they can be contained within thelauncher device 46. This is exemplary only, as the present invention canbe used to line a long length of lateral pipe. If necessary, the lateralliner tube 54 and lateral bladder tube 50 can extend beyond the end ofthe launcher device 46 with a collapsible hose fitted to the end of thelauncher device 46 to extend the cavity that when pressurized urges thelateral liner tube 54 and lateral bladder tube 50 to evert out of thelauncher device 46 and into the lateral pipe. Air is introduced into tothe cavity through an air hose 56. A rope 58 extends from one end of thelateral bladder tube 50. Applying a force to the rope 58 helps tocontrol how quickly the lateral liner tube 54 and lateral bladder tube50 are everted into the lateral pipe. Pulling on the rope 58 alsoremoves the lateral bladder tube 50 once the lateral liner tube 54 hascured and hardened to the interior wall of the lateral pipe.

The liner/bladder assembly 44 is mounted about the launcher device 46 asillustrated and described in FIGS. 7 and 8 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,079,the entirety of which is incorporated into this disclosure by reference,or as is commonly known in the art. The lateral liner tube 54 andlateral bladder tube 50 are pulled into the launcher opening of thelauncher device 46 while keeping the main bladder tube 48 on the outsideof the launcher device 46. A containment tube 60 or sleeve is then slidover the launcher device 46. The containment tube 60 preferably has alarge hole or aperture to accommodate searching for and pulling thesheet for forming the main liner tube 52 out of the hole in the launcherdevice 46 so that it can be wrapped around the outside of thecontainment tube 60. At this point, the containment tube 60 is disposedbetween the main liner tube 52 and the main bladder tube 48.

It is preferred that the main bladder tube 48 and the containment tube60 be manufactured with one or more holes around the periphery of thetubes near the ends. For example, holes can be located at the 10, 2 and6 o'clock positions near both ends of the main bladder tube 48 and thecontainment tube 60.

The skids 62 on either end of the launcher device 46 act as a fixturetool with holes around the periphery that accept temporary pins 64. Theholes in the main bladder tube 48 and the containment tube 60 arealigned with the holes in the skid 62 and the temporary pins 64 areinserted through the bladder tube 48 and the containment tube 60 andinto the holes in the skid 62. This helps to ensure that the bladdertube 48 and the containment tube 60 are properly aligned and not twistedabout the launcher tube 46, which can result in wrinkling the mainliner.

Once the main bladder tube 48 and the containment tube 60 are properlyaligned with one another, stainless steel bands 66 are placed around themain bladder tube 48 and the containment tube 60 to keep the bladdersfrom being pulled along the launcher tube 46 and to make an air tightconnection (see FIG. 11). The surplus of the main bladder tube 48 andthe containment tube 60 beyond the skid 62 is folded back over the band66 and the ends are secured by tape or other attachment means.

FIG. 12 shows the liner/bladder assembly as mounted to a launcher device46 that has been moved along a main sewer pipe 68 adjacent the openingto a lateral sewer pipe 70. This can be done using a robotic device (notshown). Once the opening of the launcher device 46 is aligned with theopening to the lateral pipe 70, the cavity in launcher device 46 can bepressurized, forcing the lateral liner tube 54 and the lateral bladdertube 50 to evert into the lateral pipe 70. The main bladder tube 48 isalso inflated such that the main bladder tube 48 and the containmenttube 60 apply a pressure to the main liner tube 52, pressing it againstthe interior wall of the main sewer pipe 68. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the containment tube 60 helps restrain the mainbladder tube 48. The containment tube 60 is a relatively inexpensivemeans to reinforce the bladder and more than double the strength of thebladder and increases the burst pressure or failure point of thebladder, especially where it is banded to the launcher device 46.

Again, the preferred pressurized material is air, but other gases orfluids may be used. Pressure within the cavity is maintained until thelateral liner tube 54 and the main liner tube 52 cure and harden. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that although it is preferred to usea main bladder tube 48 and a lateral bladder tube 50 that are fluidlyconnected, separate bladders can also be used. The containment tube 60or sleeve is particularly useful in embodiments where the bladders arefluidly connected. Here, the main bladder tube 48 must be able towithstand pressures required to evert the lateral liner tube 54 into thelateral pipe 70. The containment tube 60 helps prevent the main bladdertube 48 from bursting or failing.

The containment tube 60 is preferably formed of the same material as themain bladder tube 48, which is a translucent polyurethane material withreinforced scrim. Both the main bladder tube 48 and the containment tube60 having a thickness of approximately 20 mils has been found suitablefor use with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, thelateral bladder tube 50 can also have a reinforced end as previouslydescribed.

The invention has been shown and described above with reference to thepreferred or exemplary embodiments, and it is understood that manymodifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are withinthe intended spirit and scope of the invention but limited by theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for closing an end of a bladder tube tobe used with a resin impregnated liner for the repair of an interiorwall of a pipe, the method comprising: folding a surplus portion of thebladder tube; inserting a grommet through the folded portion of thebladder tube; banding at least a portion of the surplus portion of thebladder tube; and passing at least a portion of the banding through thegrommet.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of folding a surplusportion of the bladder tube comprises folding a portion of the bladdertube extending beyond an end of the liner.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the step of folding a surplus portion of the bladder tubecomprises fan-folding the bladder tube.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising creating an exhaust port in the bladder tube.
 5. The methodof claim 4 wherein the step of creating an exhaust port comprisespunching a hole through the bladder tube prior to folding the surplusportion of the bladder tube.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the stepof creating an exhaust port comprises inserting a second grommet througha portion of the folded bladder tube.
 7. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising taping the end of the bladder.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein the step of banding at least a portion of the surplus portion ofthe bladder tube comprises wrapping at least a portion of the foldedbladder tube with one double hitch and three or four half hitch knots ofthe banding.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the banding is a rope. 10.The method of claim 1 wherein the grommet is inserted approximately oneinch from the end of the bladder tube.
 11. The method of claim 10wherein the grommet is a three inch grommet.
 12. A method of closing anend of a bladder tube with a liner tube positioned at least partiallytherein and spaced a distance from the end of the bladder tube, themethod comprising: fan-folding a surplus portion of the bladder tube;inserting a grommet through the fan-folded portion of the bladder tube;and tying the folded portion of the bladder tube with a rope to closethe tube.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising creating anexhaust port in the bladder tube.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein thestep of creating an exhaust port comprises punching a hole through thebladder tube prior to folding the surplus portion of the bladder tube.15. The method of claim 14 further comprising applying an adhesivearound the exhaust port to keep the holes aligned.
 16. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the step of tying the folded portion of the bladdertube with a rope to close the tube comprises wrapping at least a portionof the folded bladder tube with one double hitch and three or four halfhitch knots.
 17. The method of claim 12 further comprising taping theend of the bladder.
 18. A bladder tube, comprising: a bladder tube bodyhaving first and second ends, with one of the first and second ends openand the other closed; the closed end of the bladder tube body comprisinga fan-folded portion, a grommet positioned through at least a portion ofthe fan-folded portion, and a rope tied around at least a portion of thefan-folded portion to close the end.
 19. The bladder tube of claim 18wherein the closed end further comprises an exhaust port extendingthrough the entire fan-folded portion of the end.
 20. The bladder tubeof claim 18 wherein the closed end further comprises tape wrapped aroundat least a portion of the fan-folded portion of the end.